#eb 255

ok, so I feel like I need to precursor this with the complete acknowledgement that so far I have heavily identified with the way Link presents- with what I have heard from him publicly, and the way he thinks/feels, the things that motivate him. So it is no great surprise that I will often default to his ‘side’ in a discussion, purely because my brain works in a similar way to his.

I do not hate Rhett, I do not dislike Rhett- and I don’t think he is coming from a bad place- he just thinks differently and his motivations and behaviors are different as a result- and that’s fine.

imma copy over some of my tweets from when I was listening on the bus (bold for emphasis):

I’m finding #EarBiscuits interesting to listen to- it feels like they’re on the same page but one is on the lines and one is between the lines- so super close to understanding each other

I feel like I understand what Rhett is saying- but I also know that everything Link is saying is like my brain speaking through his mouth- they get to the same place, just take different routes- or use a different equation What Link is saying right now reminds me of my own junk- it’s a hair trigger I didn’t know I had until a few years ago- I don’t like other people telling me about me- or more to the point, correcting me on what I know about myself- whether good or bad

and then someone else replied to me: Don’t you think they’re both being competitive about the same point of view being articulate in slightly different ways? Like they can’t see the woods for the the trees? To me, i feel like there’s a difference between a discussion and competition- like they’re just trying to understand each other, not trying to like... one up each other?

So, I felt like this whole conversation sort of stemmed from just like a miscommunication in how they see the world- Link had it right when he said they were on the same page but seeing it through a different lens.

Was it slightly frustrating to listen to, having the benefit of not being personally involved with the conversation? yes- but I have to remind myself that I am an observer with the luxury of not being one of the people being discussed- the stakes are low for me, and because I am removed from the discussion in that way I am able to hear better what they are trying to say to each other.

I did fib a little on my twitter in that- it does feel (to me) like Rhett was trying to ‘win’ the conversation- which again, hearing how he views the world and what drives him, makes perfect sense- whereas it felt like Link was just getting frustrated at not being understood, and then being challenged to articulate things he didn’t want to articulate.

Again, this is just how I interpreted it- audio only.

Okay. So, overall? I think Rhett has a hard time accepting (and maybe believing) that they way he and Link operate via motivation or competition is fundamentally different. I wish Rhett could just let things be, and to stop putting words in Link’s mouth. 

It’s okay that he and Link think differently. Clearly it’s worked so far! 

Rhett’s worried about getting his equal share, while Link is making sure he can keep up. Two very different ways of viewing the world. Based on what we know about their childhoods and upbringings, I can’t say I’m surprised. 

Ramblings are below the cut...

Rhett’s rec (and very much not Link’s rec) in episode 255 is a book he was reading at the time of recording the episode--How To Win Friends And Influence People.